The wait is over. This weekend, Pride of Baltimore II officially kicks off her Sail250 season in Baltimore with the release of Case 1 Rum, a limited-edition collaboration with Old Line Spirits celebrating the beginning of a remarkable year for both the ship and our nation.

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, Pride of Baltimore II will spend the summer sailing alongside some of the world’s most iconic tall ships at official Sail250 events from Virginia to New York and Boston. As Maryland’s ambassador under sail, Pride will carry the story of the Chesapeake Bay and Baltimore’s maritime heritage to hundreds of thousands of visitors gathering to commemorate America’s semiquincentennial.

But this voyage is about more than the destinations. Through America’s Star-Spangled Ambassador: Legacy in Motion, a remarkable team of filmmakers, historians, journalists, educators, authors, students, and emerging media professionals will join portions of the voyage to document the experience and share it with audiences across the country.

The journey south to Virginia will feature documentary filmmaker Justin Black, maritime historian Andrew J. Lyter, and Towson University graduate Zoe H., capturing life aboard Pride and exploring the waterways and stories that helped shape America. The return voyage from Norfolk to Baltimore will include WYPR producer Mark Gunnery and apprentices from the Alexandria Seaport Foundation, highlighting both storytelling and maritime workforce development.

As Pride sails north to New York, acclaimed author and screenwriter Rafael Alvarez and public historian Kate Livie will bring their unique perspectives to the voyage, while aerial imagery will help capture the ship’s journey from a new vantage point. Continuing on to Boston, Stevenson University student Anjali J. will represent the next generation of storytellers, gaining hands-on experience documenting one of the nation’s most significant maritime commemorations.

Together, these participants will help tell Pride‘s Sail250 story through film, photography, writing, audio, social media, and educational programming—bringing audiences aboard the ship and connecting America’s past with its future.

Throughout the coming weeks, followers can expect a steady stream of stories, images, interviews, and behind-the-scenes perspectives from aboard Pride as she sails from Baltimore to Richmond, Norfolk, New York, Boston, and beyond.

Sail250 Voyage Schedule

June 12–14 | Richmond SailFest, Richmond, Virginia
June 19–23 | Sail250® Virginia, Norfolk, Virginia
June 24–30 | Sail250® Maryland & Airshow Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland
July 3–7 | Sail4th250®, New York, New York
July 11–16 | Sail Boston®, Boston, Massachusetts

After completing her Sail250 voyage, Pride will continue her 39th sailing season with visits to Portland, Salem, Lunenburg, and Boston.

We invite you to follow along as Pride of Baltimore II carries Maryland’s maritime story to the nation during this historic celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.